Other companies making arrangements include Credit Suisse Group AG, which has televisions in the background across dealing rooms and a small atrium available for certain games. Nomura Holdings, Japan’s biggest brokerage, has made arrangements for European employees to watch via the internet or on large screens in separate rooms. “Our employees work hard and manage their time effectively so the management are happy to make provisions for people to watch the games over the coming weeks,” the firm said.

And it might be a smart move. Bloomberg quotes two sources familiar with Fiat SpA, who say that Italy’s biggest car maker can get as many as 500 medical notes from employees on the day of an important soccer game.

As for the region and Kipp’s poll, we can only speak for most viewing options outside of work. And it’s not great news for cafes and bars who may be hoping to get a boost in trade during the big event – the largest portion of us, 45 percent, is choosing to watch the game at home on TV. But those venues will get some sort of jump – 27 percent of respondents say they are watching the games out on the town.

Despite problems with the regional television broadcasts from Al Jazeera, it seems only a small proportion of internet-savvy Kippers are opting for the online option. Just 10 percent are making use of technology to watch the World Cup via the web – that’s a smaller amount than couldn’t care less (13 percent).

But all of these options are irrelevant for a lucky 5 percent of respondents, who were no doubt thrilled to tell us that they’re watching the games in South Africa. We hope they’ve booked holiday, rather than called in sick.